Friday Habs Headlines: The Canadiens prepare for a healthy Sidney Crosby

Montreal Canadiens news and notes

• A healthy Sidney Crosby will be a big challenge for a Canadiens team that has only had to face him once this year. [Montreal Gazette]
• Asked about the Habs and the Pittsburgh Penguins, Pascal Dupuis says to never bet against Crosby. [La Presse]
• The Montreal Canadiens Children’s Foundation have begun distribution of 4,000 “active kits” to children around the city in an effort to encourage physical activity for underprivileged children. [Montreal Canadiens]

Around the league and elsewhere

• The NHL’s older coaches debate masking and various other precautions as they prepare to return behind the bench. [ProHockeyTalk]
• Robin Lehner thinks that the return of sports will have mental health benefits. [ProHockeyTalk]
• A thunderstorm caused some flooding in Rogers Place, as Edmonton continues to make preparations for hosting the NHL’s return. [CTV Edmonton]
• Who are the winners and losers of the new CBA? [ESPN]
• Auston Matthews, Nathan MacKinnon, and Ryan O’Reilly are this year’s nominees for the Lady Byng Trophy. [TSN]
• Why is it so hard for a defenceman to win the Lady Byng Trophy? [The Hockey News]
• Bobby Ryan, Oskar Lindblom, and Stephen Johns are the nominees for the Masterton Trophy. [Sportsnet]
• Retrievals and breakouts will be key for the Toronto Maple Leafs against the Columbus Blue Jackets. [Sportsnet]
• David Pastrnak and Ondrej Kase missed practice on Thursday after being deemed “unfit to play.” [Sportsnet]
• Taking a look at the top four teams in the Western Conference. [TSN]
• P.K. Subban is learning to embrace his new role as a veteran on a young New Jersey Devils team. [New Jersey Devils]
• The GTHL’s racism complaint policies are coming under scrutiny. [TSN]